Academy fails to make the grade

Teaching, leadership and behaviour of pupils at a Doncaster Academy all ‘require improvement’ according to inspectors.

The verdict is the result of the first Ofsted inspection for Ash Hill Academy in Hatfield, formerly Hatfield Visual Arts College, which opened in 2011.

According to the report: “This is a school that requires improvement. It is not good because, in 2012, attainment was low and progress was weak at GCSE due to a history of underachievement. Some students lack basic skills in literacy. Teaching is not consistently good and too little is outstanding.”

The ‘requires improvement’ grade given to the academy is just one above the worst rating of ‘inadequate’.

Inspectors did however say some improvements had been made since the school re-opened as an Academy.

The report states: “The leadership of the new academy has improved the quality of teaching, the curriculum, achievement, attendance and behaviour.”

Principal David Williams said: “I am pleased with the progress that has been made since we opened as an Academy and that has been recognised in the report.

“Some of the areas identified for improvement are areas we are already working on and I’m sure we will see the exam results improve in the summer.”

Mr Williams said one of the areas of focus would be raising the profile of the academy in the community.

One such initiative will be the DN7 Arts Festival featuring entertainment from John Parr, taking place at the Academy on Saturday, June 29, from 2pm. Tickets are £5 and available by calling Celeste on 01302 840 961.